Automatic machine for stringing washers and the like



Sept. 8, 1942.

c. HALL EI'AL 2,295,469

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR STRINGING WASHERS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 11,1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 m- 8, 1942- c. HALL mL 2,295,469

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR STRINGING WASHERS AND THE LIKE Filed 'Sept. 11,1941 a Q a 28 I 40 a 07 I 1 I .37

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AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR STRINGING WASHERS AND THE LIKE Filed Sefit. 11,1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 21 5554 CarZaS //0i/Z 9 Sept. 1942- I C. HALL HAL2,295,469.

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR STRINGING WASHERS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 1'1,1941 e Sheets-Sheet 4 g2 :5 L- a l -2 I r Y' may [5 64/505 35 v- .37 myrizamo 1 Sept. 8, 1942. c. HALL ETAL 2,295,469

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AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR STRING ING WASHERS AND THE LIKE Carlas JQZZfrizaaa fiZZ Patented Sept. 8, 1942 UNE'E'ED STATES PATENT OFFICEAUTOMATIC? MACHINE on sTRINGmG WASHERS AND THE LIKE Mexico i y Me icoApplication September 11, 1941, Serial No. 419,488

12 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic machine for stringing washers ofthe type employed in washer placing machines, during fabrication ofrubber heels and the like and it consists in the constructions,arrangements and combinations herein described and claimed.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide-a machine whichnot only automatically strings the washers but will eject any and allwashers which do not have the required measurements in shape as well asthickness, or which may be otherwise defective.

It is an important object of the invention to provide a novel mountingfor the stringing needles which will be automatically released from theoperative position of the needles, when the needles have been filled, orin the event that a washer accidentally jams at the tip of the needles.This feature is important since it facilitates the change of needleswithout the need'for stopping the machine and it also prevents thebending or breaking of the needles.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide means forcollecting all washers which may fall from the stringer cylinders whenneedles are changed or Where the washers may not follow a given course,thereby permitting an operator to gather the washers for re-use.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a machine of greatsimplicity enabling ready manufacture and assembly, and since it isautomatic in operation an increase in output can be attained.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention will beapparent from the following description, considered in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine, partly in section,

Figure 2 is a vertical section thereof,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the machine, illustrating the drive forthe different mechanisms employed,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentarysectional Figure 8 is a fragmentaryelevation illustrating one of the guides for conveying the washers to hestringing cylinder and also the automatic gate mechanism, T

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower end of one of thestringing needles,

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the mounting of theneedles and automatic release for the needles,

Figure 11 is a view illustrating the position of the needles when filledwith washers,

Figure 12 is a View illustratingthe position of the needles and tripmechanism when the needles are released from operative position with thestringing cylinder.

Attention is first invited to Figures 1 2' and 3 wherein a suitable baseframe structure 'F is shown, interconnected by suitable tie bolts B toafford the necessary rigidity;

The upper portion of the frame structure has suitably mounted thereonacylinder 'l,the end portions 2 and'3 of which are detachably mount ed bybolts 4 and 5. As'Viewed Figure 1, the right hand end of the cylinder"!i'sprovided with a hopper Gwhereby washers may be de posited in thecylinder;

In the lower periphery of the cylinder I, a longitudinal slot 8 isformed, the degree of 'openingof which is controlled by a slidinggate 9,for varying the discharge of washers. Revolubly mounted within thecylinder there is a'shaft Ill and spaced therealong and suitablyfixed'thereto are agitators I] which move the washers into the slot 8under rotation, A spoke wheel I 2 is also mounted on the shaft,positioned adjacent the discharge end of the hopper 6 and functions tomove "washers longitudinally of the cylinder.

The shaft 10 is rotated by a gear [4 in mesh with a gear I5 fixed to ashaft [6 suitably mounted in and extended through the end portion 2 ofthe cylinder. 'A pulley l! is fixed to the shaft l5 exteriorly of theend portion for reception of a drive presently to be described.

For the purpose of reducing friction and provide an easy operation ofthe shaft, ball bearing races I 8 and I9 are provided'as shown in Figure1, and the shaft I6 is similarly mounted the bearing races ZEJ'and 2|.

Attention is now invited to Figures 2 and 4, wherein a'slideway 22 isshown, immediately beneath the slot 8. The slideway 22 includes sup- 7ports 23 for spacing the slideway from the slot a suitable distance, andis secured by means of screws 24. The slide-way 22 is of an articulatestructure, including an end portion 26 hinged as at 25 to the forwardend of the slide-way. The

hinged end portion 25 is under spring tension as at 21, tending to drawthe portion 26 into engagement with vibrators 28 which are secured to ashaft 29, the vibrators and shaft rotating as indicated by the arrow(see Figure 4). Also mounted on the shaft 29, and spaced suitablytherealong, are agitator fingers 38. From the foregoing, it will beapparent that the end portion 26 will be given vibratory movements in avertical plane, and such movement will insure a downward slidingmovement of the washers, for a purpose as will presently appear.

A plurality of elevator disks 3| are provided mounted on a shaft 39between supports 48, each disk being provided with spaced ribs 32,defining respective cells 33 around the periphery of the disk. As shown,the ribs 32 are of such height as to accommodate washers fiushtherewithin when the washers are placed with the cone portions presentedupwardly.

Each of the disks 3| is formed with a circumscribing channel 38 of adepth so as to be positioned below the surface of the cells 33, adaptedto receive an extractor finger 35% of a washer guide 31. As shown inFigure 5, each disk 3| is separated from one another by disks 4| havingangular peripheral formation, this construction being found to causeproper centering of a washer in respective cells.

A pair of combs 34 and 35 are operatively associated with each disk 3 inthe present instance, these being shown as mounted on a plate 42, whichis rockably mounted on a shaft 43 carried by a frame 48 which in turn isfixed to the support 40 by means of bolts 49. A tension spring 44 isconnected to the free end of the plate 42, the other end being connectedto a bolt 45 of the frame 48, the spring tending to draw the combs intoproper position above washers within the cells as will be explained. Therod 48 serves as a stop means for downward movement of the bar. Asclearly shown in Figure 6, the combs 34 and 35 are longitudinallyslotted and a bolt 41 is extended therethrough for securement of thecombs. The height of the combs 34 and 35, with respect to the ribs 32may be regulated by virtue of the slot and bolt.

As shown in detail in Figures 7 and 8, the guides 31 are in the form ofa channel, of a width and thickness to slidably receive the washers,arranged vertically, so as to convey washers to a stringing cylinder 38.Each guide 31 has a spring for actuating a vertically slidable gate 50,the gate being guided by a cover plate 53, and has a cutaway portion 52,permitting ready passage of washers to the stringing cylinder. Byspring-mounting the gate, liability of straining the washers is avoided.The guides 31 are mounted adjacent their lower ends to a transverse bar56, the latter having bosses for reception of a shaft 54. The guides 31are each provided with a spring 51 anchored as at 58, tending to drawthe guides toward the disks 3| so that the extractor tips 36 will besnugly positioned in the channels 38. As shown in Figure 2, the shaft 52is supported in brackets secured to the underface of the plate 62carried by the frame structure. It will be apparent that the disks 3|will accommodate a single washer in each cell 33, with the cone portionupwards, the combs 34 and 35 insuring proper positioning of the washers.In the event that a washer is defective or advances with thecone portionpresented downwardly, the comb 35 will engage the edge of the washer andbrush it aside as shown in Figure 4.

The properly positioned washers will advance to the guides 31 fordischarge thereinto upon engagement of the extractor tips 35.

A bracket 61 is adjustably mounted beneath the plate 62 by means ofbolts 68. Bolts 69 are also employed in the bracket in opposed relationto the bolts 68 thereby firmlysupporting the bracket. The stringingcylinder 38' is supported on forwardly projecting arms of the bracketsby means of a shaft 66, and is positioned beneath the lower ends of theguides 31.

The stringing cylinder 38 is formed with a plurality of suitably spacedcircumferential grooves 65 and at spaced points along each groovevertical recesses 63 are formed, the latter being of a depth to receivea washer endwise therein, and when so positioned the hole of the washerswill be centered with respect to the grooves 65.

Immediately beneath the cylinder 38 brackets 15 and 11 are pivotallymounted upon a tie bolt B. A rod 18 is connected to the ends of thebrackets 16 and H and extends transversely beneath the needles 64, therespective needles lying in respective grooves 65 so that the pointsthereof may enter the hole in an advancing washer.-

This mechanism provides a safety feature and functions to force theneedles from the grooves in the event that a defective washer isencountered.

An inclined tray 88 is positioned beneath the stringing cylinder 38'supported from the tie bolt B, and serves to collect washers that arereleased from the stringing cylinder when the needles are in theposition shown in Figure 12. The tray is preferably of triangular formand at its lower end a discharge opening is formed permitting thewashers to discharge into a suitable receptacle (not shown).

In addition to the tray 80, a further large tray 8| is provided of asize so as to extend throughout the lower part of the machine and servesto gather any and all washers that may be thrown by the elevator disks3|, which would occur when the washers are improperly placed. In orderto facilitate removal of the washers the tray 8| is provided with anarticulated rear wall 82 and base and front wall 83.

Reference is now made to Figures 2, 10, 11 and 12 for an understandingof the construction and mounting of the stringing needles 34 it beingunderstood that each of the needles will embody the same construction. Arod 85 fixed in the frame and extended transversely of the machine isprovided for rockably supporting a crank lever 85. The crank lever 85includes a long arm bifurcated at its end for mounting of a foot 84, forsecurement of a needle, as will be described in greater detail. The foot84 includes an angular extension positioned beneath the long arm of thelever 85 and a leaf spring I is positioned between the two, the springtending to swing the needle toward and hold the same within the groovesof the stringing cylinder.

The short arm of the crank lever is extended downwardly at right anglesto the long arm of the crank lever, and has a threaded opening withinwhich a threaded shank of a counterweight 81 is engaged. Thus thecounter-weight may be adjusted with respect to the crank lever 85. Theshort arm 85' also has an adjustable trip lug 99 for a purpose presentlyto be explained.

A support I02 is fastened between the side members of the frame of themachine, and mounts a vertically disposed cylinder 90. A piston '89 isreciprocably mounted within the cylinder and includes a st'eml-llextended through the lower end. A helical spring 93 is confined betweenthe piston and a packing gland 92, the spring being under compressiontending to force the piston upwardly in the direction of thecounter-weight 8?. The upper end of the piston 89 has a saddle 88 forsupport of the counter-weight, and the lower end of the stem is threadedfor reception of adjusting nuts 9% whereby the upward movement of thepiston may be varied.

As clearly shown in Figure 10, the cylinder has an enlarged head slottedtransversely as at $5, the slot extending across the opening of the 03inder at one side thereof. A hook clamp $5 is reciprocably mounted inthe slot, the clamp having a stem projecting in the direction of thetrip lug 99 and terminating in a cam shoe 98 cooperable with the triplug $39 at times. A helical spring '91 is interposed between the camshoe E8 and the cylinder tending to hold the hook 96 in engagement witha kerf formed in the upper end of the piston 39.

In the operation of the mechanism just described, the washers will befed to the needles until they are filled. Some of the needles may fillsooner than others, and in any event, the needles will remain in untilfilled to their respective capacities. As soon as a needle is filledwith its allotted washers, the weight thereof will overbalance thecounter-weight 8? and the needle begins to move downwardly as shown inFigure 11, where it will be noted that the cam shoe 98 has moved thetrip lug 9! to release the hook clamp 95 from engagement with thecylinder 89. The spring 93 then exerts an upward thrust to the piston 85causing the counter-weight to move upwardly with a consequent downwardmovement of the crank arm 85 which will swing the needle or needles asthe case may be, to the posi tion shown in Figure 12. The upwardswinging movement of the counterweight is checked by a stop rod 88. Inthe position shown in Figure 12, the filled needle may be readilyremoved by loosening the wing'nut 84', or, a thread may be inserted inthe eye of the needle allowing the washers to feed thereunto.

The transmission of power to the various devices is shown in Figure 3 inconjunction with Figure 1. A motor I63 is employed and by means of apulley ltd the belt I86 is moved as indicated by the arrows, which inturn rotates pulley I7 and its associated shaft I5, thereby driving thegear 15 and consequently the intermeshed gear I l. The gear I4 beingfixed to the shaft ill, the agitators H are motivated. The gear M alsois in mesh with gear llil thus driving the shaft I H and the sprocketgear H5, transmitting motion to the chain Ill, which drives the sprocketHQ and consequently its shaft iii. 1. order to reduce friction, theshaft l H is preferably journalled in bearings H3. A reducing sprocketI22 drives the sprocket I24 by means of a chain I23. The sprocket I25furnishes motion to the stringing cylinder 38 by virtue of itssecurement to the shaft 66. On the opposite end of the shaft 66 asprocket [26 is secured driving the gear 123 of shaft 39 by means of achain 52?; thus the elevating disks 3i are actuated. Also secured to theshaft 39 there is a gear ISI in mesh with a gear I32 fixed to the shaft29, the latter carrying the vibrators 28 and the agitator fingers 33.

From the foregoing it will be seen that we have provided a machine whichwill automatically string Washers upon needles with the cone portionspresented upwardly, as well as providing means for positivelyeliminating defective washers from passing onto the needles, and whilewe have specifically shown and described our preferred construction,this is by way of illustration only and we consider as our own all suchmodifications in construction as fairly fall within the scope of theappended claims.

We claim:

1. An automatic machine for stringing washers on needles or the likecomprising a feed hopper and an inclined articulated slide-way, washerfeeding means between the hopper and the slideway, a plurality ofelevating disks,- each disk having a plurality of cells foraccommodation of a single washer, means for removing washers other thanthose properly positioned within the cells, means for vibrating thearticulated portion of the slide-way to effect movement of the washersto the cells of the disks, guide means cooperable with each disk forreceiving washers therefrom, a stringing cylinder having means forreceiving separate washers from the guide means, and stringing needlescooperable with the stringing cylinder for receiving washers thereon.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which each of said needles includes meansfor effecting movement away from the stringing cylinder at times.

3. The structure of claim 1 in which each of said needles includes meansoperable under action of weight to effect movement of the needles to aposition inoperative to receive further needles thereon.

4. The structure of claim 1 in which the cells are of the same depth asthe thickness of the washers, said disks having a plurality ofcircumferential grooves traversing the center of respective cells thegrooves being deeper than the cells, and said guide means having awasher extracting finger complemental to respective grooves fordischarging the washers into the guide means.

5. The structure of claim 1, in which the means for removing andproperly placing the washers with their cone portions upward consists oftandem combs operative immediately above the cells of the disks.

6. The structure of claim 1, in which the guide means is so constructedand adapted to admit washers from the elevating disks with the coneportions presented upwardly.

7. The structure of claim 1 in which the lower portion of the guidemeans includes a resiliently mounted gate to permit the washers to passto the stringing cylinder without strain.

8. The structure of claim 1 in which the stringing cylinder comprises aplurality of perimetrical- 1y spaced slots for accommodation of washersedgewise therein, a circumferential groove intersecting respectivespaced slots, the slots being of a depth to present the opening ofthewashers in direct line with the needle complemental to its respectivecircumferential groove.

9. The structure of claim 1 in which tray means are provided beneath theelevating disks and stringing cylinders for reception of washers whichmay be discharged or fall from the machine.

10. In an automatic machine for stringing washers, a hopper having adischarge opening in its lower portion, means for advancing washersthrough the opening, a slide-way beneath the discharge opening, theslide-way having a hinged forward end, spring means for holding theforward end in normal position, a plurality of rotatable elevating diskspositioned in operative position to receive washers from the hingedforward end of the slide-way, each disk having inclined walls defining atrough for guidance of washers thereinto, a circumferential groove atthe base of each trough, spaced transverse ribs in the trough definingwasher receiving cells, vibrator means for agitating the forward end ofthe slide-way, said means including fingers for moving washers into thetroughs, comb means above the cells for positioning a washer inrespective cells and to eject washers improperly positioned, achannellike guide-way having a finger positioned within the groove toeject washers for passage into the guide-way, a stringing cylinderbeneath the guide-ways constructed and adapted to receive and holdwashers in edgewise position, needle means positioned to pass throughapertures of the washers, and counter-balance means for moving theneedles from operative position with respect to the stringing cylinder.

11. An automatic needle moving means for washer stringing meanscomprising in combination with a stringing cylinder, a pivoted crank, aneedle carried on one arm thereof, spring means holding the needle inoperative position with the cylinder, a counterweight on the other arm,piston means beneath the counter-weight and having a portion supportingthe counter weight, said piston being under tension, releasable meansfor holding the piston under tension, a trip lug on the second named armadapted to contact and move the releasableimeans under swinging movementof the crank and stop means limiting upward swinging movement of thecounter-weight.

12. An automatic machine for stringing washers on needles or the likecomprising a feed hopper and an inclined slide-way, washer feeding meansbetween the hopper and the slide-way, a plurality of elevating disksadapted to receive washers from the slide-way, each disk having aplurality of cells for accommodation of a single washer, means forremoving washers other than those properly positioned within the cells,guide means cooperable with each disk for receiving washers therefrom, astringing cylinder having means for receiving separate washers from theguide means, stringing needles cooperable with the stringing cylinderfor receiving washers thereon, each of the needles including means foreffecting movement away from the stringing cylinder at times.

CARLOS HALL. FERNANDO HALL.

